Ruth: More than a Love Story

Sacrificial love is central to the Christian Gospel, which is why Wesley urged that the foundation of preaching should be Christ dying for us & Christ reigning in is. Sacrificial love is central to the story. This book seeks to explain the story to those who have, perhaps, lacked systematic religious instruction. There is a map of the relevant area and “A Message for Today”, followed by the reason why Elimelech and his family left Bethlehem for Moab – because there was a famine. The background of the respective societies is given, together with a query as to whether the journey to Moab was wise, given the history of the relations between the Moabites and the Israelites. This is followed by “A Message for Today” about the temptation to run away from problems, followed by some questions, under the heading of “Think Tank”. The style of writing is chatty and informal. For instance, Chapter 10, with reference to the town gate, says that it was more than a passageway, it was a meeting place if “you wanted to sit and pass the time of day, having a good old chinwag”. One had reservations about a statement (p.13) before Chapter One: “…God’s people continually disobey but are forgiven and forgiven!” On the other hand, the “Think Tank” says that “it is no good telling people you have faith in God if you don’t show it by trying to obey his commands…” One would wholeheartedly agree.
What more can be said? This book concludes with puzzles: crossword, word searches & spot the difference.

The funky cover is an indicator that this is a tool guide for those in charge of guiding young people towards Jesus - youth workers, pastors, priests, religious teachers etc. Each section explores Ruth's adventures in depth. There is a 'think tank' at the end of each chapter with pertinent questions for discussion. At the book's close is a selection of crossword puzzles, crosswords and cartons to be coloured in. The pull of this guide's charming illustrations draws in those like me who are not involved in a pastoral/teaching profession. Every reader will gain personal titbits of information they didn't know about Ruth. I didn't know that when Ruth's first husband had passed away, she took the advice of her matchmaking mother (who the author describes as 'wise' rather than overbearing!) when she ensnared the love of her future husband. The way she went about making herself available is almost unheard of in Biblical times and labelled as forward even by today's standards. Unspoken is that the guidebook will only be used at its best when used in conjunction with reading the book of Ruth itself. GoodBookStall Review - 02/07/2008 - Alice Collins